I am excited to join Youth Testify because it is an outlet where I can share my abortion experience and meet other people like me. I want to help people by sharing my story, and have people empathize with our abortion stories. Youth Testify is a community!

What would you like to share about your abortion story?

When I found out I was pregnant, I was devastated because I knew I was not going to be able to continue my education if I told my family. I had a lot of exams and tests while I was pregnant, and I became sick so I missed a lot of school. Some of my teachers were nice and tried to help, but another teacher kept pulling me out of class and I felt judged. Because I was a minor, I had to go through the judicial bypass process, which was long, but thanks to Jane’s Due Process, I did it. People tried to tell me what to do, but in the end I was able to make my own decision.

How are you excited to organize your community to eradicate abortion stigma?

I am now a freshman in university, and I am excited to organize my classmates and campus. I think campus activism will be fun and a learning experience. I also am volunteering to support other young people as they go through the judicial bypass process, so they feel less alone.

What do you wish other young people knew about seeking abortion?

I wish all young people knew that abortion is our right and that no one should tell us how we should feel about our own bodies. Like many young people, it was hard from me to get birth control under the age of 18, and we aren’t taught about sex since many schools teach abstinence-only sex-ed. I was surprised to find out how expensive abortions are, especially for young people who don’t have jobs, and how hard it was to get an abortion during school hours because of our strict attendance policies.

Why are you sharing your abortion story?

I am sharing my abortion story because I want young people who are trying to have an abortion to know to never give up. It took so much effort for me, but in the end, I have never been happier with my decision. I am happy with myself and I have hope for my future.